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Tweets and posts promoting social change in Lebanon

Mohammad Mtawea won the game of collecting the most business cards at the @SocialMediasPACE event recently held in Beirut.

While he was accumulating more than 115 business cards, he talked to people he had previously only met online.

The game encouraged networking between those attending the @SocialMediasPACE, a day-long event organized by MSI’s USAID-funded Promoting Active Citizen Engagement (PACE). The event was born out of consultations with civil society organisations across Lebanon. Civic and digital experts attended the event to learn how to better use social media to promote social change.

“The event was very successful and I got to know new tricks and tips on how to enhance my social media skills,” tweeted Abbas Ahmad (@nawabbas) to @PACELebanon.

MSI staff members played an integral part in making sure the event ran smoothly. They managed the registration desk and other logistics.

Our staff promoted the conference via Facebook and other social media networks. With 40 percent of Lebanese citizens on social media, these platforms are great tools for civil society to expand their reach.

@SocialMediasPACE brought together private sponsors that provided one-on-one meetings with attendees and donated prizes. More than 15 media and marketing firms sponsored the event.

A live Twitter feed displayed on the wall and amplified the discussions happening on the stage.

The crowd of activists and marketing and media professionals contributed more than 1,800 tweets to the conversation. The event’s hashtag #smspace was even trending in Beirut.

A live stream of the event was available online for those who could not attend in person.

The PACE project continues to help civil society and grantees master new tools and social media through trainings and other support.